A nurse on the labor and delivery unit is caring for a patient who is having induction of labor with oxytocin administered through a secondary IV line. Uterine contractions occur every 2 minutes, last 90 seconds each, and are strong to palpation. The baseline fetal heart rate is 150/min, with uniform decelerations beginning at the peak of the contraction, nadir after the peak of the contraction, and a return to baseline after the contraction is over.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Increase the rate of infusion of the IV oxytocin.
Decrease the rate of infusion of the maintenance IV solution.
Discontinue the infusion of the IV oxytocin.
Slow the client's rate of breathing.
Slow the client's rate of breathing.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Increasing the rate of infusion of IV oxytocin in the presence of abnormal fetal heart rate decelerations is contraindicated. It may exacerbate uterine hyperstimulation, further compromising fetal oxygenation.
Choice B rationale
Decreasing the rate of infusion of the maintenance IV solution will not address the issue of uterine hyperstimulation or abnormal fetal heart rate decelerations. The focus should be on managing oxytocin administration.
Choice C rationale
Discontinuing the infusion of IV oxytocin is appropriate due to uterine tachysystole and associated fetal heart rate decelerations. This helps reduce uterine contractions and allows for fetal recovery, improving oxygenation.
Choice D rationale
Slowing the client's rate of breathing is not related to managing uterine contractions or fetal heart rate decelerations. The intervention should directly address the cause of the decelerations, which is oxytocin-induced hyperstimulation. .
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A reaction from an epidural can cause side effects such as hypotension and shivering, but it is not related to tachysystole.
Choice B rationale
When the fetus's heart rate drops below baseline, it is termed bradycardia, not tachysystole. This condition can occur due to various reasons, including cord prolapse or placental insufficiency.
Choice C rationale
Tachysystole is defined as more than five contractions in 10 minutes. This condition can lead to reduced blood flow to the fetus, resulting in fetal distress.
Choice D rationale
Pitocin is a medication used to induce labor and can cause tachysystole, but the administration of Pitocin itself is not the definition of tachysystole. It's the increased frequency of contractions that defines the condition.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Open heart surgery is unrelated to the development of vaginal fistulas.
Choice B rationale
Tissue trauma from childbirth can cause vaginal fistulas, as prolonged labor or obstetric interventions can damage vaginal tissue and lead to fistula formation.
Choice C rationale
Diabetes mellitus does not directly cause vaginal fistulas, although it can affect overall tissue health and healing.
Choice D rationale
Preeclampsia, while a serious pregnancy complication, is not a direct cause of vaginal fistulas.